Newcastle set for emergency transfer talks - Tuesday update on BBC podcast

It looks like Newcastle United have been forced to rethink their January transfer plans following news that Joelinton is likely to miss the remainder of the season.

Speaking on the BBC's Transfer Gossip Daily, The Telegraph's Luke Edwards has revealed that an 'emergency transfer meeting' looks set to take place on Tyneside, with talks scheduled 'this week' to determine our next steps.

Edwards reveals that a specialist has notified Newcastle that Joelinton is likely to need surgery, which would be followed by a 4-5 month period of rehabilitation. That would leave us with just THREE fit midfielders and FOUR fit attackers and it's expected to force the clubs hands over the final two weeks of the window, despite our reluctance to spend due to FFP/PSR constraints.

As things stand, we're refusing to meet Man City's demands over Kalvin Phillips, which feature a £7m loan fee, hefty wages and a £40m obligation to buy this summer. That deal is not dead, it seems, but it seems we'll be looking elsewhere if the champions don't budge.

Here's what Edwards said on the BBC podcast on Joelinton's injury and the transfer shift set to follow:

https://twitter.com/BBCMOTD/status/1747171520441422127

"Joelinton looks like he'll be out for the season now. So Newcastle are down to three senior fit midfielders. They have three-four fit forwards.

"Newcastle are waiting to determine whether he definitely needs surgery, but the feedback they've had from the specialist is he will need surgery. Then four to five months of rehabilitation afterwards.

"This has got to change Newcastle's transfer plans. 11 players missing, 12 with Sandro Tonali out. You can't have no midfielders and no forwards on your bench and hope to go for the rest of the season.

"The players they've got coming back are Joe Willock who hasn't really played since April. Harvey Barnes hasn't kicked a ball since September. You can't rely on those players to come straight back in.

"I think there's going to be some emergency transfer meetings at Newcastle. I'm led to believe that there are going to be those talks this week.

"They've been reluctant to do anything due to PSR. I initially thought the Kalvin Phillips information (that we were walking away) was an act of brinkmanship, that they were looking to get the information out there so Man City returned to the table and lowered their demands.

"I just think Newcastle have to do something. If they don't do something, this season is in danger. They aren't going to get into Europe. They've got to give Eddie Howe some help. I think this Joelinton news will change things.

"They didn't want to do anything this month, but I think their hand will be forced by this Joelinton injury news."